When it comes to Macedonia things to do, there’s no shortage of variety! Whether visiting Skopje or Ohrid, there is an abundance of exciting local sights to see and experience. Here’s a quick list to get you started!
For the sake of saving you time, I’ve split this post into activities most fit for summer months, and activities fit for winter months. However, all of these experiences (except skiing!) can technically be enjoyed year-round!
Macedonia Things To Do in Summer Months
1. Lake Days/Boating: Spending Summer like a Local
If you’re near Skopje, then a boat ride to the caves at Matka Canyon is your closest option. A day trip to Mavrovo Lake (which I wrote a bit about in this post) is also possible from both Skopje and Ohrid.
Peacefully sailing through the cliffs at Matka was a highlight for me, personally, during my time in Macedonia.
If you’re near Ohrid, well…what else did you plan to do there? 😂 Lake Ohrid is the oldest lake in Europe, and so massive that it’d be a major loss to not spend at least a day cruising around on a lake boat.
Even if boating isn’t your thing, both Ohrid and Matka Canyon have plenty of walking trails around the lake. Ohrid has an abundance of restaurants around, while Matka Canyon also has some (though not so many).
With beautiful scenery and fresh off-the-water breezes, spending some time on or by the water is definitely number one among things to do in Macedonia for a reason!
2. Hiking in Macedonia: REset & Connect with Nature
Macedonia has plenty of hiking opportunities, for both light hikers and more intense hobbyists!
With stunning mountain views and plenty of trails which will lead you to gorgeous panoramic views of Macedonia’s lush nature, hiking is probably one of the best ways to fall in love with Macedonia!
I wrote about some of Macedonia’s parks which have hiking trails in this post.
3. Outdoor Sightseeing: Cultural Tourism
One of Macedonia’s biggest landmarks is the Millennium Cross, which I share details of how to visit here.
Another cool site which I’ve heard of but not seen yet is a “sunken church” which can be visited at Mavrovo Lake.
There’s also Mother Teresa’s home, which I write more about in this post, which details some Skopje tourist sites.
There is plenty of cultural tourism to do, both in and out of Skopje! And summertime is the perfect time to do it.
4. Visit Macedonia’s National Parks
There are four National Parks in Macedonia, which I’ve written about in this post. Each of them boasts breathtaking scenery.
Getting to the parks may take a bit more coordination, especially if you’re staying in Skopje. But reviews on tourism apps are unanimous in saying that the views and experiences are WORTH IT.
Things To Do In Macedonia In Winter Months
5. SkiinG: A Winter Paradise
Pelister Park and Mavrovo Park (both mentioned in this post) host some serious skiing opportunities. Aside from these two major destinations, there are also plenty of smaller ski slopes scattered throughout Macedonia.
One particular place, called Krusevo, seems to have an entire resort village, perfect for winter vacations.
If you’re a skier or snowboarder, Macedonia is a perfect place to spend your winter holiday!
6. Visit museums: Glimpse into Macedonian History
Honestly, no matter what time of year you visit, museums are a must in my opinion! History and people are what make a place what it is.
While in Skopje, we visited the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, as well as the Holocaust Museum of Macedonian Jews. I wrote about both museums in this post.
There are plenty of other smaller museums, especially in Skopje. They’re perfect for rainy or chilly days, and a key part of visiting Macedonia!
7. Shopping: Make the Most of Low Prices!
Prices in Macedonia are strikingly low compared to prices in other European countries.
And to make it even better, Skopje is home to an epic outdoor Bazaar! We visited the bazaar every day while in Skopje, and bought all kinds of stuff from souvenirs to Turkish ice cream.
Furthermore, there are some big malls in Skopje City Center where you can get all kinds of goodies. I grabbed a dress from a mall for the Skopje wedding I attended. I loved it, and it only cost me $9 USD!
8. Food Tourism: The Cherry On Top
What better excuse to spend tons of time indoors eating local foods than chilly winter weather?
And Macedonia’s local cuisine is honestly PERFECT for wintertime. I mean, it’s tasty year-round, no questions there. But I think a bowl of chorba would have hit even closer to home if it was in the middle of winter.
Look for chorba, kebapi, baked beans, and sharshka on the menu to make sure you found a place which serves local cuisine.
I have a list of some popular Macedonia restaurants in this post. And a list of some of my favorite Skopje restaurants can be found in this post.
Summary
There are so many things to do in Macedonia, whether you’re a history lover, foodie, or outdoors enthusiast! If I haven’t convinced you to visit Macedonia yet, then check out some of my other posts below!
You may also like:
Helpful Macedonia Park Guide For Tourists in 2023
Macedonia Weather: Helpful Travel Guide for All Seasons
POPULAR Macedonia Restaurants You’ll Want To Try (2023)
6 AMAZING Skopje Sights: Must-See Spots!
